Heat pump system for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A heat pump system for a vehicle, capable of heating up or cooling a battery module by use of a single chiller in which a refrigerant and a coolant exchange heat, simplifying the system, includes: first and second cooling apparatuses; and a battery module, wherein a main heat exchanger provided in an air conditioning apparatus is connected to each of the first and second coolant lines to enable the coolants circulating in the first and second cooling apparatuses to pass therethrough, and a refrigerant passing through the main heat exchanger is selectively condensed or evaporated depending on a vehicle mode through mutual heat exchange with the coolant supplied from one of the first coolant line and the second coolant line, or the coolants supplied through the first and second coolant lines, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2021-0070375 filed on May 31, 2021, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle heat pump system for avehicle, and more particularly, to a heat pump system for a vehicle,which heats or cools a battery module by use of a single chiller inwhich a refrigerant and a coolant exchange heat, and improves heatingefficiency by use of waste heat from a motor, an electrical component,and a battery module.

Description of Related Art

In general, an air conditioning apparatus of a vehicle includes an airconditioner system for circulating a coolant or a refrigerant to heat orcool an interior of the vehicle.

Such an air conditioning apparatus, which can maintain a fresh indoorcondition by maintaining an indoor temperature of a vehicle at anappropriate temperature regardless of an outdoor temperature change, isconfigured to heat or cool an interior of the vehicle by heat-exchangeby an evaporator during a process in which a refrigerant discharged bydriving a compressor is circulated to the compressor again by passingthrough a condenser, a receiver drier, an expansion valve, and theevaporator.

That is, in the air conditioning apparatus, a high-temperature andhigh-pressure gaseous refrigerant which is compressed by the compressoris condensed through the condenser, then is evaporated by the evaporatorthrough the receiver drier and the expansion valve to lower the indoortemperature and humidity in a cooling mode.

Recently, as a concern about energy efficiency and environmentalpollution has gradually increased, development of anenvironment-friendly vehicle configured for being substantiallysubstituted for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine has beenrequired, and the environment-friendly vehicles are typically classifiedinto an electric vehicle which is typically driven using a fuel cell orelectricity as a power source, and a hybrid vehicle which is drivenusing an engine and an electric battery.

In the electric vehicle and the hybrid vehicle of theenvironment-friendly vehicles, a separate heater is not used, unlike anair conditioner of a general vehicle, and an air conditioner, which isapplied to the environment-friendly vehicle, is typically referred to asa heat pump system.

In a case of the electric vehicle using the fuel cell, chemical reactionenergy of oxygen and hydrogen is converted into electrical energy togenerate driving force, and during the present process, thermal energyis generated by chemical reaction in the fuel cell, and as a result,effective removal of the generated heat is required to secure theperformance of the fuel cell.

Even in the hybrid vehicle, the driving force is generated by drivingthe motor by use of electricity supplied from the fuel cell or theelectric battery together with the engine which is actuated with ageneral fuel, and as a result, the performance of the motor may besecured only by effectively removing the heat generated from the fuelcell or the battery, and the motor.

Accordingly, in a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle of a related art, abattery cooling system, a cooling means, and a heat pump system may beconfigured to have respective separate circuits to prevent heatgeneration of a motor, an electrical component, and a battery includinga fuel cell.

Thus, a size and a weight of a cooling module disposed in the front ofthe vehicle are increased, and a layout of connecting pipes forsupplying a refrigerant or coolant to the heat pump system, the coolingmeans, and the battery cooling system inside an engine compartmentbecomes complicated.

Furthermore, since the battery cooling system for heating or cooling thebattery is separately provided according to a state of the vehicle sothat the battery may operate in an optimal state, a plurality of valvesfor connecting the respective connecting pipes are applied, thus noiseand vibration are transmitted to the interior of the vehicle, resultingin poor ride comfort.

The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section isonly for enhancement of understanding of the general background of theinvention and may not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form ofsuggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to aperson skilled in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing aheat pump system for a vehicle, which is configured for heating up orcooling a battery module by use of a single chiller in which arefrigerant and a coolant exchange heat, simplifying the system.

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing aheat pump system for a vehicle, including: a first cooling apparatusincluding a first radiator and a first water pump connected to a firstcoolant line, to circulate a coolant in the first coolant line forcooling at least one electrical component and at least one motor mountedon the first coolant line; a second cooling apparatus including a secondwater pump connected to a second coolant line to circulate a coolant inthe second coolant line; and a battery module provided in a batterycoolant line which is selectively connectable to the second coolant linethrough a first valve, wherein a main heat exchanger provided in an airconditioning apparatus is connected to each of the first and secondcoolant lines to enable the coolants circulating in the first and secondcooling apparatuses to pass therethrough, and a refrigerant passingthrough the main heat exchanger is selectively condensed or evaporateddepending on a vehicle mode through mutual heat exchange with thecoolant supplied from one of the first coolant line and the secondcoolant line, or the coolants supplied through the first and secondcoolant lines, respectively.

The main heat exchanger may include: a first heat dissipation unitconnected to the first coolant line; a second heat dissipation unitconnected to the second coolant line; and a partition wall partitioningthe first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipation unitinside the main heat exchanger to prevent mixing of the coolants appliedfrom the first cooling apparatus and the second cooling apparatus,respectively, and to allow the refrigerant to pass therethrough.

The refrigerant passing through the main heat exchanger may flow in adirection which is opposite to a flow direction of the coolants passingthrough the first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipationunit.

It may further include a chiller provided in the battery coolant linethrough which a coolant passes, and connected to a refrigerant line ofthe air conditioning apparatus through a refrigerant connection lineconnected to the refrigerant line, to adjust a temperature of aselectively introduced coolant by heat-exchanging it with a refrigerantsupplied from the air conditioning apparatus. The air conditioningapparatus may further include: a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) module connected thereto through the refrigerantline and including a door configured to control outside air passingthrough an evaporator to be selectively introduced into an internalcondenser depending on the vehicle mode including cooling, heating, andheating/dehumidifying modes of the vehicle therein; a compressorconfigured to be connected between the evaporator and the internalcondenser through the refrigerant line; a first expansion valve providedin the refrigerant line to connect the main heat exchanger and theevaporator; a second expansion valve provided in the refrigerantconnection line; a first bypass line connecting the refrigerant line andthe compressor between the main heat exchanger and the first expansionvalve to allow the refrigerant passing through the main heat exchangerto be selectively introduced into the compressor; a third expansionvalve provided in the refrigerant line between the internal condenserand the main heat exchanger; and a second bypass line connecting therefrigerant line between the main heat exchanger and the third expansionvalve with the refrigerant line between the first expansion valve andthe evaporator to allow the refrigerant that has passed through theinternal condenser to be selectively introduced into the evaporator.

A sub-condenser may be provided in the refrigerant line between the mainheat exchanger and the evaporator.

The sub-condenser may further condense the refrigerant condensed in themain heat exchanger through heat exchange with outside air when the mainheat exchanger condenses the refrigerant.

The main heat exchanger may be mounted with a receiver dryer thatseparates the refrigerant that has completed heat exchange into agaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant and selectively dischargeit.

The receiver dryer may be mounted in the main heat exchanger to supplythe gaseous refrigerant to the compressor through the first bypass line,and may supply the liquid refrigerant to the sub-condenser.

The second expansion valve may be operated when the battery module iscooled with a refrigerant, and expands the refrigerant flowing thereinthrough the refrigerant connection line and introduces the expandedrefrigerant into the chiller.

The third expansion valve may selectively expand the refrigerant flowinginto the main heat exchanger and the second bypass line in the heatingand dehumidification mode of the vehicle.

The first valve may selectively connect the second coolant line and thebattery coolant line.

In the first cooling apparatus, a first branch line connected to thefirst coolant line between the first radiator and the first water pumpthrough a second valve provided in the first coolant line between thefirst radiator and the first water pump is provided.

In the battery cooling apparatus, a second branch line separating thesecond coolant line and the battery coolant line may be provided so thatthe battery coolant line forms a closed circuit selectively independentof the second cooling apparatus.

In the second coolant line, a third branch line may be provided forselectively separating the battery coolant line and the second coolantline depending on a selective operation of the first valve.

A first end portion of the first bypass line may be connected to therefrigerant line through a third valve provided in the refrigerant line,and a second end portion of the first bypass line may be connected tothe refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

A fourth valve may be provided in the second bypass line.

The receiver dryer may supply a gaseous refrigerant to the accumulatorthrough the first bypass line which is selectively opened through anoperation of the third valve, and may supply the liquid refrigerant tothe refrigerant line which is selectively opened through operation ofthe third valve.

The accumulator may be positioned in the refrigerant line between thecompressor and the evaporator.

The second and third expansion valves may each be an electronicexpansion valve that selectively expands a refrigerant while controllinga flow of the refrigerant.

The at least one electrical component may include: first and secondinverters respectively configured to correspond to front and rear wheelsof the vehicle and provided in the first coolant line; and a chargerprovided in the first coolant line, and the at least one motor mayinclude first and second motors respectively configured to correspond tothe front and rear wheels of the vehicle and provided in the firstcoolant line.

As described above, in accordance with the heat pump system according tovarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the batterymodule may be heated or cooled depending on the vehicle mode by use of asingle chiller in which the coolant and the refrigerant exchange heat inthe electric vehicle, facilitating simplification of the system.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, since a battery module may be efficiently heated and cooledaccording to a mode of a vehicle, it is possible to operate the batterymodule at optimal performance, and a total mileage of the vehicle may beincreased through efficient management of the battery module.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, it is possible to improve heating efficiency by selectivelyusing the waste heat of the external heat source, the motor, theelectrical component, and the battery module in the heating mode of thevehicle.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, condensation or evaporation performance of the refrigerantmay be increased through the main heat exchanger that condenses orevaporates the refrigerant by use of the respective coolants suppliedfrom first and second cooling apparatuses, improving cooling performanceand reducing power consumption of the compressor.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, the entire system may be simplified to reduce manufacturingcost and weight, and to improve space utilization.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other featuresand advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in moredetail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, andthe following Detailed Description, which together serve to explaincertain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a main heat exchanger appliedto a heat pump system for a vehicle according to various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily toscale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variousfeatures illustrative of the basic principles of the present invention.The specific design features of the present invention as includedherein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations,locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particularlyintended application and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent partsof the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described below. While the presentinvention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, it will be understood that the presentdescription is not intended to limit the present invention(s) to thoseexemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention(s)is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, but also various alternatives, modifications,equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafterbe described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Since the exemplary embodiments described in the specification and theconfigurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferableembodiments and configurations of the present invention, they do notrepresent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and itshould be understood that various equivalents and modified examples,which may replace the embodiments, are possible, when filing the presentapplication.

To clearly describe the present invention, parts that are irrelevant tothe description are omitted, and identical or similar constituentelements throughout the specification are denoted by the same referencenumerals.

Since the size and thickness of each configuration shown in the drawingsare arbitrarily shown for convenience of description, the presentinvention is not necessarily limited to configurations illustrated inthe drawings, and in order to clearly illustrate several parts andareas, enlarged thicknesses are shown.

Furthermore, throughout the specification unless explicitly described tothe contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or“comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of statedelements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

Furthermore, terms such as “unit”, “means”, “part”, and “member”described in the specification mean a unit of a comprehensiveconfiguration having at least one function or operation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heatpump system may adjust a temperature of a battery module 30 by use of asingle chiller 70 for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant anda coolant, and may improve heating efficiency by use of waste heat of anelectrical component 15, a motor 16, and the battery module 30.

Herein, the heat pump system includes a first cooling apparatus 10 forcooling the electrical component 15 and the motor 16 in an electricvehicle, and a second cooling apparatus 20 for cooling the batterymodule 30, and an air conditioning apparatus 50 for cooling or heatingan internal, which may be interlocked with each other.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the heat pump system includes the first and secondcooling apparatuses 10 and 20, the battery module 30, and the chiller70.

First, the first cooling apparatus 10 includes a first radiator 12 and afirst water pump 14 connected to a first coolant line 11.

This first cooling apparatus 10 circulates coolant in the first coolantline 11 through operation of the first water pump 14 to cool at leastone electrical component 15 and at least one motor 16.

The radiator 12 is disposed in the front of the vehicle, and a coolingfan 13 is disposed behind the radiator 12, so that the coolant is cooledthrough operation of the cooling fan 13 and heat exchange with theoutside air.

Herein, the electrical component 15 may include an electric powercontrol apparatus, an inverter, or an on board charger (OBC) 17. Theelectric power control apparatus or the inverter may heat up whiledriving, and the charger 17 may heat up when charging the battery module30.

Furthermore, the inverter may include first and second inverters 15 aand 15 b provided in the first coolant line 11 to correspond to frontand rear wheels of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the motor 16 may include first and second motors 16 a and16 b provided in the first coolant line 11 to correspond to the frontand rear wheels of the vehicle.

The electrical component 15 and the motor 16 configured in the instantway may be positioned in series in the first coolant line 11.

Meanwhile, a first reservoir tank 19 is provided in the first coolantline 11 between the first radiator 12 and the first water pump 14. Thecoolant cooled by the first radiator 12 may be stored in the firstreservoir tank 19.

The first cooling apparatus 10 configured in the instant way circulatesthe coolant cooled from the first radiator 12 through operation of thefirst water pump 14 along the first coolant line 11 to cool theelectrical component 15 and the motor 16 to prevent them from beingoverheated.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the secondcooling apparatus 20 includes a second radiator 22 and a second waterpump 26 connected to a second coolant line 21, and circulates thecoolant in the second coolant line 21.

This second cooling apparatus 20 may selectively supply the coolantcooled by the second radiator 22 to the battery module 30.

The second radiator 22 is positioned in front of the first radiator 12to cool the coolant through operation of the cooling fan 13 andheat-exchange with outside air.

Furthermore, the second reservoir tank 27 is provided in the secondcoolant line 21 between the second radiator 22 and the second water pump26. The coolant cooled by the second radiator 22 may be stored in thesecond reservoir tank 27.

The second cooling apparatus 20 configured in the instant way maycirculate the coolant cooled by the second radiator 22 along the secondcoolant line 21 through operation of the second water pump 26.

Meanwhile, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, itis described that the second radiator 22 is provided in the secondcooling apparatus 20 as various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and thesecond cooling apparatus 20 may be connected to the first radiator 12instead of the second radiator 22.

That is, when there is no second radiator 22 in the second coolingapparatus 20, the second coolant line 21 may be connected to the firstradiator 12 such that the coolant is supplied from the first radiator12.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the batterymodule 30 is provided in the battery coolant line 31 which isselectively connectable to the second coolant line 21 through a firstvalve V1.

Herein, the first valve V1 may selectively connect the second coolantline 21 and the battery coolant line 31 between the second radiator 22and the battery module 30.

In more detail, the first valve V1 selectively connects the secondcoolant line 21 and the battery coolant line 31 between the chiller 70provided in the battery coolant line 31 and the second radiator 22.

Herein, the battery module 30 supplies power to the electrical component15 and the motor 16, and is formed as a water-cooling type which iscooled with the coolant flowing along the battery coolant line 31.

That is, the battery module 30 is selectively connectable to the secondcooling apparatus 20 through the battery coolant line 31 according tothe operation of the first valve V1. Furthermore, the coolant may becircuited inside the battery module 30 through operation of the thirdwater pump 33 provided in the battery coolant line 31.

The third water pump 33 is operated to circulate coolant through thebattery coolant line 31.

Herein, the first, second, and third water pumps 14, 26, and 33 may beelectric water pumps.

Meanwhile, the first cooling apparatus 10 may further include a branchline 18 connected to the coolant line 11 between the first radiator 12and the first water pump 14 through a second valve V2 provided in thefirst coolant line 11 between the first radiator 12 and the first waterpump 14.

The second valve V2 is provided in the first coolant line 11 between theelectrical component 15, the motor 16, and the first radiator 12.

A first end portion of the first branch line 18 is connected to thefirst coolant line 11 through the second valve V2. A second end portionof the first branch line 18 may be connected to the first reservoir tank19 between the first radiator 12 and the first water pump 14.

The first branch line 18 is selectively opened through operation of thesecond valve V2 when a temperature of the coolant is increased byabsorbing waste heat generated from the electrical component 15 and themotor 16.

In the instant case, the first coolant line 11 connected to the firstradiator 12 is closed through operation of the second valve V2.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the chiller70 is provided in the battery coolant line 31 so that the coolant passestherein, and is connected to the refrigerant line 51 of the airconditioning apparatus 50 through a refrigerant connection line 72.

The chiller 70 may control a temperature of the coolant byheat-exchanging the coolant selectively introduced therein with thecoolant supplied from the air conditioning apparatus 50. Herein, thechiller 70 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which a coolantflows.

Meanwhile, a coolant heater 35 may be provided in the battery coolantline 31 between the battery module 30 and the third water pump 33.

When it is required to increase the temperature of the battery module30, the coolant heater 35 is turned on to heat the coolant circulated inthe battery coolant line 31 such that the coolant of which temperatureis increased may be supplied to the battery module 30.

This coolant heater 35 may be an electric heater that operates dependingon power supply.

Furthermore, the battery coolant line 31 may include a second branchline 80 that connects each battery coolant line 31 between the chiller70 and the battery module 30 through the first valve V1.

That is, the second branch line 80 selectively separates the secondcoolant line 21 and the battery coolant line 31 from each otherdepending on the operation of the first valve V1 such that the batterycoolant line 31 forms a closed circuit independent of the second coolingapparatus 20.

A third branch line 90 separating the battery coolant line 31 and thesecond coolant line 21 is provided in the second coolant line 21.

The third branch line 90 may be selectively connectable to the secondcoolant line 21 such that the second cooling apparatus 20 forms anindependent closed circuit through the second coolant line 21.

Meanwhile, a separate valve may be provided at a point where the thirdbranch line 90 intersects with the second coolant line 21 and thebattery coolant line 31 or on the third branch line 90. Such a valve maybe a 3-way or two-way valve.

Accordingly, the first valve V1 selectively connects the coolant line 21and the battery coolant line 31 or selectively connects the batterycoolant line 31 and the first branch line 80 to control a flow of thecoolant.

That is, when the battery module 30 is cooled by use of the coolantcooled in the second radiator 21, the first valve V1 may connect thecoolant line 21 connected to the second radiator 21 with the batterycoolant line 31, and may close the first branch line 80.

Accordingly, the coolant cooled by the second radiator 22 may cool thebattery module 30 while flowing along the second coolant line 11 and thebattery cooling line 31 connected through operation of the first valveV1.

Furthermore, when cooling the battery module 30 by use of the coolantheat-exchanged with the refrigerant, the first valve V1 may open thesecond branch line 80, and may close the connection between the secondcoolant line 21 and the battery coolant line 31.

Accordingly, the low-temperature coolant that has completed heatexchanged with the refrigerant in the chiller 70 may flow into thebattery module 30 through the second branch line 80 opened by the firstvalve V1, efficiently cooling the battery module 30.

When the temperature of the battery module 30 is increased, the coolantcirculating along the battery coolant line 31 is prevented from flowinginto the second radiator 22 through operation of the first valve V1,thus it is possible to rapidly increase the temperature of the batterymodule 30 by facilitating the coolant heated through operation of thecoolant heater 35 to flow into the battery module 30.

In the meantime, according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, it has been described that a valve is not configured in thethird branch line 90, but the present invention is not limited thereto,and a valve may be applied as necessary for selective opening of thethird branch line 90.

That is, the third branch line 90 may be controlled to be opened orclosed by controlling a flow of the coolant circulating throughoperations of the second coolant line 21 selectively connectabledepending on each mode of the vehicle (heating, cooling, ordehumidification), the battery coolant line 31, the second branch line80, and the second and third water pumps 26 and 33.

Meanwhile, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention,the air conditioning apparatus 50 includes a heating, ventilation, andair conditioning (HVAC) module 52, the main heat exchanger 54, areceiver dryer 55, a first expansion valve 57, an evaporator 58, and acompressor 59 which are connected through the refrigerant line 51.

First, the HVAC module 52 includes an opening and closing door 52 cconnected through the refrigerant line 51, for controlling outside airpassing through the evaporator 58 to selectively flow into the internalcondenser 52 a and the internal heater 52 b depending on a cooling mode,a heating mode, and a heating and dehumidification mode.

That is, the opening and closing door 52 c is opened to allow theoutside air passing through the evaporator 58 to be introduced into theinternal condenser 52 a and the internal heater 52 b in the heating modeof the vehicle. In contrast, in the cooling mode of the vehicle, theopening and closing door 52 c closes off the internal condenser 52 a andthe internal heater 52 b such that the outside air which is cooled whilepassing through the evaporator 58 directly flows into the vehicle.

The main heat exchanger 54 may be connected to the refrigerant line 51to enable the refrigerant to pass therethrough, and may be respectivelyconnected to the first and second coolant lines 11 and 21 such that thecoolant circulating in the first and second cooling apparatuses 10 and20 passes therethrough.

The main heat exchanger 54 may condense or evaporate the refrigerantthrough heat exchange with the coolants supplied through the first andsecond coolant lines 11 and 21 depending on the vehicle mode.

That is, the refrigerant passing through the main heat exchanger 54 maybe selectively condensed or evaporated through mutual heat exchange withthe coolant supplied from any one of the first coolant line 11 and thesecond coolant line 21 or the coolants supplied through the first andsecond coolant lines 11 and 21 depending on the cooling mode or theheating mode of the vehicle.

The main heat exchanger 54 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger intowhich a coolant flows.

In the main heat exchanger 54 configured in the present way, respectivecoolants having different temperatures circulating through the firstcooling apparatus 10 and the second cooling apparatus 20 flow, and atthe instant time, the refrigerant may be heat exchanged with eachcoolant having a different temperature.

The main heat exchanger 54 will be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a main heat exchanger appliedto a heat pump system for a vehicle according to various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the main heat exchanger 54 may include a firstheat dissipation unit 54 a, a second heat dissipation unit 54 b, and apartition wall 54 c.

First, the first heat dissipation unit 54 a is connected to the firstcoolant line 11. Accordingly, the first heat dissipation unit 54 a mayexchange heat with the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59 withthe coolant supplied from the first cooling apparatus 10.

The second heat dissipation unit 54 b is connected to the second coolantline 21. Accordingly, the second heat dissipation unit 54 b may exchangeheat with the coolant that has passed through the first heat dissipationunit 54 a with the coolant supplied from the second cooling apparatus20.

The partition wall 54 c may partition the first heat dissipation unit 54a and the second heat dissipation unit 54 b inside the main heatexchanger 54 to prevent mixing of the coolants respectively suppliedfrom the first cooling apparatus 10 and the second cooling apparatus 20.

The partition wall 54 c may enable the refrigerant to pass therethroughsuch that the refrigerant flows from the second heat dissipation unit 54b to the first heat dissipation unit 54 a.

Herein, the refrigerant passing through the main heat exchanger 54 mayflow in a direction which is opposite to a flow direction of thecoolants passing through the first heat dissipation unit 54 a and thesecond heat dissipation unit 54 b.

That is, the refrigerant moves from a lower portion to an upper portionof the second heat dissipation unit 54 b with reference to FIG. 2 .Thereafter, the refrigerant moves from the upper portion of the secondheat dissipation unit 54 b to the first heat dissipation unit 54 athrough the partition wall 54 c, and moves from an upper portion to alower portion of the first heat dissipation unit 54 a.

In the instant case, the coolant supplied from the first coolingapparatus 10 flows from the lower portion to the upper portion of thefirst dissipation unit 54 a to flow in an opposite direction to that ofthe refrigerant.

The coolant supplied from the second cooling apparatus 20 flows from theupper portion to the lower portion of the second dissipation unit 54 bto flow in the opposite direction to that of the refrigerant.

The main heat exchanger 54 configured in the instant way mayheat-exchange the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59 throughthe internal condenser 52 a with the coolant, supplied from any one ofthe first coolant line 11 and the second coolant line 21 or the coolantsrespectively supplied through the first and second coolant lines 11 and21, in the first heat dissipation unit 54 a or the second heatdissipation unit 54 b.

Through the present operation, the main heat exchanger 54 may increase acondensation or evaporation amount of the refrigerant.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the receiverdryer 55 may separate the refrigerant that has completed heat exchangein the main heat exchanger 54 into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquidrefrigerant and selectively discharge it. The receiver dryer 55 may beintegrally mounted to the main heat exchanger 54.

Meanwhile, the refrigerant line 51 between the main heat exchanger 54and the evaporator 58 may be provided with a sub-condenser 56 foradditionally condensing the refrigerant that has passed through the mainheat exchanger 54.

The sub-condenser 56 is positioned in front of the second radiator 22 toexchange heat between the refrigerant flowing therein and the outsideair.

Accordingly, when the main heat exchanger 54 condenses the refrigerant,the sub-condenser 56 may increase subcooling of the refrigerant byfurther condensing the refrigerant condensed in the main heat exchanger54, improving a coefficient of performance (COP), which is a coefficientof the cooling capacity relative to the power required by thecompressor.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the firstexpansion valve 57 is provided in the refrigerant line 51 connecting thesub-condenser 56 and the evaporator 58. The first expansion valve 57receives the refrigerant passing through the sub-condenser 56 to expandit. The first expansion valve 57 may be a mechanical expansion valve.

The compressor 59 is connected thereto between the evaporator 58 and theinternal condenser 54 through the refrigerant line 51. This compressor59 may compress the gaseous refrigerant and supply the compressedrefrigerant to the internal condenser 52 a.

The air conditioning apparatus 50 configured in the instant way mayfurther include a second expansion valve 74, a first bypass line 62, athird expansion valve 66, and a second bypass line 64.

First, the second expansion valve 74 is provided in the refrigerantconnection line 72 between the sub-condenser 56 and the chiller 70.

Herein, the second expansion valve 74 is operated when the batterymodule 30 is cooled with the refrigerant in the cooling mode of thevehicle. The second expansion valve 72 may expand the refrigerantintroduced through the refrigerant connection line 72 to introduce itinto the chiller 70.

The second expansion valve 74 may introduce the condensed refrigerantexhausted from the sub-condenser 56 into the chiller 70 in a state wherethe temperature of the refrigerant is reduced by expanding therefrigerant, to further reduce the temperature of the coolant passingthrough the interior of the chiller 70.

As a result, the coolant having the temperature which is reduced whilepassing through the chiller 70 is introduced into the battery module 30,being more efficiently cooled.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the firstbypass line 62 may connect the refrigerant line 51 and the compressor 59between the main heat exchanger 54 and the first expansion valve 57 suchthat the gaseous refrigerant that has passed through the receiver dryer55 is selectively introduced into the compressor 59.

Herein, a first end portion of the first bypass line 62 is connected tothe refrigerant line 21 through a third valve V3 provided in therefrigerant line 51.

A second end portion of the first bypass line 62 may be connected to therefrigerant line 51 between the evaporator 58 and the compressor 59.

The third valve V3 may selectively open the first bypass line 62depending on a vehicle mode.

Accordingly, the first bypass line 62 opened through operation of thethird valve V3 may supply the gaseous refrigerant that has passedthrough the receiver dryer 55 to the compressor 59 in the heating modeof the vehicle.

Furthermore, the receiver dryer 55 may supply liquid refrigerant to thesub-condenser 6 through the refrigerant line 51 which is opened throughoperation of the third valve V3.

That is, the receiver dryer 55 may supply the gaseous refrigerant to theaccumulator 53 through the first bypass line 62 which is selectivelyopened through operation of the third valve V3.

Furthermore, the receiver dryer 55 may supply liquid refrigerant to therefrigerant line 51 which is selectively opened through operation of thethird valve V3.

Herein, the accumulator 53 may be positioned in the refrigerant line 51between the compressor 59 and the evaporator 58.

The accumulator 53 selectively receives the refrigerant discharged fromthe receiver dryer 55 through operation of the third valve V3 whichoperates depending on the vehicle mode.

That is, the accumulator 53 improves efficiency and durability of thefirst compressor 59 by supplying only a gaseous refrigerant to the firstcompressor 59.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the thirdexpansion valve 66 may be provided in the refrigerant line 51 betweenthe internal condenser 52 a and the main heat exchanger 54.

The third expansion valve 66 may selectively expand the refrigerantflowing into the main heat exchanger 54 and the second bypass line 64 inthe heating and dehumidification mode of the vehicle.

Herein, the main heat exchanger 54 may evaporate the refrigerant throughheat exchange with the coolant when the third expansion valve 66 expandsthe refrigerant, and may condense the refrigerant through heat exchangewith the coolant when the third expansion valve 66 does not expand therefrigerant.

Furthermore, the second bypass line 64 may connect the refrigerant line51 between the main heat exchanger 54 and the third expansion valve 66with the refrigerant line 51 between the first expansion valve 57 andthe evaporator 58 such that some of the refrigerant that has passedthrough the internal condenser 52 a is selectively introduced into theevaporator 58.

Herein, a fourth valve V4 may be provided in the second bypass line 64.The fourth valve V4 may selectively open the second bypass line 64 inthe dehumidification mode among the vehicle modes.

Accordingly, indoor dehumidification may be performed without theoperation of the first expansion valve 57 to allow the second bypassline 64 to introduce some of the refrigerant expanded through operationof the third expansion valve 66 into the evaporator 58 in the heatingand dehumidification mode of the vehicle.

In the heat pump system configured as described above, the secondexpansion valve 74 and the third expansion valve 66 may be electronicexpansion valves that selectively expand the refrigerant whilecontrolling the flow of the refrigerant.

Furthermore, the first, second, and third valves V1, V2, and V3 may bethree-way valves configured for distributing a flow, and the fourthvalve V4 may be a two-way valve.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a controller isconnected to at least one of the elements of the heat pump system, tocontrol the operations thereof.

Therefore, as described above, when the vehicle heat pump systemaccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention isapplied, the battery module 30 may be heated or cooled depending on thevehicle mode by use of the single chiller 70 in which the coolant andthe refrigerant exchange heat in the electric vehicle, facilitatingsimplification of the system.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, optimal performance of the battery module 30 becomes possibleby efficiently increasing the temperature and cooling the battery module30 depending on a vehicle mode, and overall mileage of the vehicle maybe increased through efficient management of the battery module 30.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, heating efficiency may be improved by selectively using anexternal heat source, and waste heat of the electrical equipment 15, themotor 16, and the battery module 30 in the heating mode of the vehicle.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, condensation or evaporation performance of the refrigerantmay be increased through the main heat exchanger 54 that condenses orevaporates the refrigerant by use of the respective coolants suppliedfrom the first and second cooling apparatuses 10 and 20, improvingcooling performance and reducing power consumption of the compressor 59.

Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, the entire system may be simplified to reduce manufacturingcost and weight, and to improve space utilization.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appendedclaims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”,“upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “inside”, “outside”,“inwardly”, “outwardly”, “interior”, “exterior”, “internal”, “external”,“forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describe features of theexemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such featuresas displayed in the figures. It will be further understood that the term“connect” or its derivatives refer both to direct and indirectconnection.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described toexplain certain principles of the present invention and their practicalapplication, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilizevarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well asvarious alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that thescope of the present invention be defined by the Claims appended heretoand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pumpsystem comprising: a first cooling apparatus including a first radiatorand a first water pump connected to a first coolant line, to circulate acoolant in the first coolant line for cooling at least one electricalcomponent and at least one motor mounted on the first coolant line; asecond cooling apparatus including a second water pump connected to asecond coolant line to circulate a coolant in the second coolant line;and a battery module provided in a battery coolant line which isselectively connectable to the second coolant line through a firstvalve, wherein a main heat exchanger provided in an air conditioningapparatus is connected to each of the first and second coolant lines toenable the coolants circulating in the first and second coolingapparatuses to pass therethrough, and wherein a refrigerant passingthrough the main heat exchanger is selectively condensed or evaporateddepending on a vehicle mode through mutual heat exchange with thecoolant supplied from one of the first coolant line and the secondcoolant line, or the coolants supplied through the first and secondcoolant lines, respectively, wherein a chiller provided in the batterycoolant line through which a coolant passes, and connected to arefrigerant line of the air conditioning apparatus through a refrigerantconnection line connected to the refrigerant line, to adjust atemperature of a selectively introduced coolant by heat-exchanging theselectively introduced coolant with a refrigerant supplied from the airconditioning apparatus, and wherein the air conditioning apparatusincludes: a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) moduleconnected to the refrigerant line and including a door, an evaporator,and an internal condenser, wherein the door is configured to controloutside air passing through the evaporator connected to the refrigerantline to be selectively introduced into the internal condenser connectedto the refrigerant line depending on the vehicle mode including acooling mode, a heating mode, and a heating and dehumidifying mode ofthe vehicle therein; a compressor mounted in connected to therefrigerant line and connected between the evaporator and the internalcondenser through the refrigerant line; a first expansion valve providedin the refrigerant line to connect the main heat exchanger and theevaporator; a second expansion valve provided in the refrigerantconnection line; a first bypass line connecting the refrigerant line andthe compressor between the main heat exchanger and the first expansionvalve to allow the refrigerant passing through the main heat exchangerto be selectively introduced into the compressor; a third expansionvalve provided in the refrigerant line between the internal condenserand the main heat exchanger; and a second bypass line connecting therefrigerant line between the main heat exchanger and the third expansionvalve with the refrigerant line between the first expansion valve andthe evaporator to allow the refrigerant that has passed through theinternal condenser to be selectively introduced into the evaporator,wherein a sub-condenser is provided in the refrigerant line between themain heat exchanger and the evaporator, wherein the main heat exchangeris mounted with a receiver dryer that separates the refrigerant that hascompleted heat exchange into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquidrefrigerant and selectively discharges the refrigerant, and wherein thereceiver dryer is mounted in the main heat exchanger to supply thegaseous refrigerant to the compressor through the first bypass lineconnecting the receiver dryer and the compressor, and supplies theliquid refrigerant to the sub-condenser.
 2. The heat pump system ofclaim 1, wherein the main heat exchanger includes: a first heatdissipation unit connected to the first coolant line; a second heatdissipation unit connected to the second coolant line; and a partitionwall partitioning the first heat dissipation unit and the second heatdissipation unit inside the main heat exchanger to prevent mixing of thecoolants applied from the first cooling apparatus and the second coolingapparatus, respectively, and to allow the refrigerant to passtherethrough.
 3. The heat pump system of claim 2, wherein therefrigerant passing through the main heat exchanger flows in a directionwhich is opposite to a flow direction of the coolants passing throughthe first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipation unit. 4.The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the sub-condenser is configuredto further condense the refrigerant condensed in the main heat exchangerthrough heat exchange with outside air when the main heat exchangercondenses the refrigerant.
 5. The heat pump system of claim 1, whereinthe second expansion valve is operated when the battery module is cooledwith a refrigerant, and expands the refrigerant flowing therein throughthe refrigerant connection line and introduces the expanded refrigerantinto the chiller.
 6. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the thirdexpansion valve selectively expands the refrigerant flowing into themain heat exchanger and the second bypass line in the heating anddehumidification mode of the vehicle.
 7. The heat pump system of claim1, wherein the first valve selectively connects the second coolant lineand the battery coolant line.
 8. The heat pump system of claim 1,wherein, in the first cooling apparatus, a first branch line connectedto the first coolant line between the first radiator and the first waterpump through a second valve provided in the first coolant line betweenthe first radiator and the first water pump is provided.
 9. The heatpump system of claim 1, wherein, in the battery cooling apparatus, asecond branch line selectively separating the second coolant line andthe battery coolant line is provided so that the battery coolant lineforms a closed circuit selectively independent of the second coolingapparatus through the first valve.
 10. The heat pump system of claim 1,wherein, in the second coolant line, a third branch line is provided forselectively separating the battery coolant line and the second coolantline depending on a selective operation of the first valve.
 11. The heatpump system of claim 1, wherein a first end portion of the first bypassline is connected to the refrigerant line through a third valve providedin the refrigerant line, and wherein a second end portion of the firstbypass line is connected to the refrigerant line between the evaporatorand the compressor.
 12. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein afourth valve is provided in the second bypass line.
 13. The heat pumpsystem of claim 11, wherein the receiver dryer supplies a gaseousrefrigerant to an accumulator mounted in the refrigerant line throughthe first bypass line which is selectively opened through an operationof the third valve, and supplies the liquid refrigerant to therefrigerant line which is selectively opened through operation of thethird valve.
 14. The heat pump system of claim 13, wherein theaccumulator is positioned in the refrigerant line between the compressorand the evaporator.
 15. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein thesecond and third expansion valves are each an electronic expansion valvethat selectively expands a refrigerant while controlling a flow of therefrigerant.
 16. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the at leastone electrical component includes: first and second invertersrespectively corresponding to front and rear wheels of the vehicle andprovided in the first coolant line; and a charger provided in the firstcoolant line, wherein the at least one motor includes first and secondmotors respectively corresponding to the front and rear wheels of thevehicle and provided in the first coolant line.